GAME 3: PREGAME

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DETROIT -- As he hinted on Monday, John Farrell decided on right-handed hitting Jonny Gomes over switch-hitter Daniel Nava to play left field against Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander today in Game 3.

Farrell said Monday intangibles would play a role in the decision, but stressed Tuesday that there was more to it than that.

"I don't want to diminish [Gomes's] ability," said Farrell, "and you could make an argument that if [Verlander] is on, you can take all the matchups and throw them out the window. But we have seen that whether it's in a starting role or coming off the bench, Jonny's in the middle of things when we get things going.

"That's not to demean or not recognize what Daniel Nava has done for us this year, but given what we anticipate what Verlander's going to throw, I like this matchup today."